SAINT PAUL, MN – January 14: Medical personnel tend to Ryan O’Reilly #37 of the Colorado Avalanche after he went head first into the boards against the Minnesota Wild during the game at Xcel Energy Center on January 14, 2011 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Avalanche center Ryan O’Reilly did not participate in a practice today, but he’s not expected to miss too many future workouts after learning that his shoulder injury would not require surgery.

“He’ll miss a couple weeks, no surgery required,” Avs coach Joe Sacco after today’s practice. “We’re all very relieved and thankful, because it looked worse. The good thing with Ryan, too, is he’s young, he’s in good shape, and hopefully he can recover here quickly.”

There were fears that O’Reilly, 19, would miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury after he crashed awkwardly into the boards during Friday’s 4-1 victory at Minnesota. He was carried off on a stretcher for precautionary reasons, with concerns that he also had head an neck injuries.

O’Reilly is one of three players to have played in all 45 Colorado games this season. The defensive specialist has five goals and 15 points. He will likely be replaced by winger TJ Galiardi, who has experience at center and is also used as a primary penalty killer.

If O’Reilly is out for two weeks beginning Sunday, he will only miss five games.